From Meditation to Animal Rights Philosophy: Seven Books to Read During Isolation
Here are some recommended reads to help you through these challenging times.
As people across the world are forced into lockdown, many of us are stocking up on books, listening to podcasts or turning to Netflix to help pass the time.
To help you with your reading list, we’ve compiled some of our favorites, from meditation advice to animal rights philosophy.
Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, Wear Cows, by Melanie Joy
Have you ever wondered why we care deeply for some animals, such as our beloved dogs and cats, but send others to the slaughterhouse to be processed into burgers?
In this fascinating book, social psychologist Melanie Joy talks about the psychology of meat eating, or "carnism" - a term coined by Joy herself to describe the belief system that has convinced many of us it’s OK to eat some animals, but wrong to eat others.
Tigers Forever: Saving the World's Most Endangered Big Cat, by Sharon Guynup and Steve Winter
Did you know that there are more tigers in captivity in the US then exist in the wild? In Season 3 of Species Unite, we spoke with journalist and author, Sharon Guynup who spent two years investigating the USA’s tiger problem for Nat Geo for the devastating story, The Tiger Next Door, with photographer, Steve Winter.
Now, Guynup and Winter have combined their skills of photography and prose once again to tell the story of the tiger’s desperate fight for survival in “Tigers Forever”.
Just Sit: A Meditation Guidebook, by Elizabeth Novogratz and Sukey Novogratz
Social isolation impacts on everyone’s mental health, particularly when we are so used to being in the company of others. So during this surreal time, it’s important to care for our wellbeing. Meditation can be a great way to press pause, relieve stress, and lift our mood.
This beautiful book, co-written by Species Unite’s very own founder, is an approachable and visually engaging beginner’s guide to meditation. It also includes an eight-week plan to help readers start their own daily practice.
Voices for Animal Liberation: Inspirational Accounts by Animal Rights Activists, by Brittany Michelson
Voices for Animal Liberation is a collection of personal essays from new and highly influential voices in the animal rights movement today. With a foreword by Ingrid Newkirk, the founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), this book explains why animal rights is emerging as the defining social justice movement of the 21st century.
Vegan Style: Your Plant-Based Guide to Fashion * Beauty * Home * Travel by Sascha Camilli
Vegan Style is an inspiring lifestyle guide which provides a plethora of information on cruelty-free fashion, vegan beauty, and conscious travel. It is a practical handbook with insight from industry leaders who are working to create positive change in the world of fashion.
How Not to Die, by Dr. Michael Greger and Gene Stone
From the physician behind the popular website NutritionFacts.org, How Not to Die is an invaluable resource all about the foods that have been scientifically proven to reverse and prevent disease. If you’re interested in learning more about nurturing your body through food, this is the book for you - the length alone will keep you busy during your days of isolation.
The Sexual Politics of Meat, by Carol J. Adams
What is the connection between eating meat and the patriarchal society that we live in? Is misogyny and sexism linked to our treatment of animals? This provocative work helped establish a groundbreaking feminist theory for our thinking towards animals, one which continues to empower and enlighten readers today. Now thirty years since its initial release, the book has had a huge impact on so many movements from ecofeminism to animal rights, with The New York Times labelling it “a bible of the vegan community”. An eye-opening must-read.
Species Unite
A collection of stories of those who fight the good fight on behalf of animals.